Stage 4 Colon Cancer Diagnosis
Donation protected
Less than 2 months ago, my best friend and partner of 30 years, Leon L. Clements, II, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that had already metastasized to his liver. At the time of diagnosis on July 1st, he received a prognosis of days to weeks if he did not begin treatment right away.
Leon is always focused on caring for others, but now he needs the care of others. Leon is the most private person I know. He did not want to burden anyone with the weight of his diagnosis -- he wished to carry the pain of his situation on his own, however, he has realized that in communicating his story, our community, especially our men, may push aside fear or the stigma of a colonoscopy and get tested. That test can make all the difference.
Leon is facing more critical treatments, so that he has time to get his personal affairs in order and take care of his loved ones. Even as he faces this devastating diagnosis, he has prioritized the needs of others before his own. Leon does not want his family to be financially devastated by the debt from these intensive but life-extending cancer treatments.
I want my best friend to see the seasons change one more time.
Leon’s time may be short; however, the medical expenses are mounting. With all he is going through I feel I need to try to remove financial worries and help him realize a few of his bucket-list items in the little time he has left. He's lived a life of caring and has earned some moments of happiness.
As I stated earlier, sharing this information was not easy for Leon, however, if it sheds light on this insidious disease and helps his family, it was worth it.
Please join me in sharing this post with others and supporting Leon.
There is nothing more powerful than love, family and community. Community, Leon needs you.
In his own words:
I am a 60 year old, previously fit man.
About a year ago I consumed some bad seafood; and suffered a food poisoning event . I later experienced some symptoms that we assumed to be simple Gastro Intestinal issues.
I planned to seek medical attention just as the pandemic, shelter in place, and hospital elective surgeries were shut down in the Virginia Maryland area (on or about Feb 2020).
We waited until pain was associated with the other symptoms to go to the emergency room (ER).... that was approximately 60 days ago (on July 1st 2020). Within 3 hours the ER physician advised me that I did not have appendicitis; but, rather Colorectal Cancer. Further, the physician advised that the cancer had already metastasized to my liver; was inoperable, and that I had a few months at most to live.
The Oncologist's initial prognosis was days, to weeks if I did not begin a treatment program immediately; and a few months if I began a chemotherapy treatment program.
So, I had a few hours to conceptualize the vast disparity between an elective surgery and a terminal disease. Your donation will help with bills and a few bucket-list items. Unused funds, or funds that exceed the Goal will be donated to Cancer research.
Whether you donate funds, or not, please take a Colorectal Cancer screening test. This form of cancer is swift and insidious; one may be asymptomatic or have symptoms that mirror other less serious medical conditions until it is too late.
Thanks in advance for both your time, and your donation.
Leon is always focused on caring for others, but now he needs the care of others. Leon is the most private person I know. He did not want to burden anyone with the weight of his diagnosis -- he wished to carry the pain of his situation on his own, however, he has realized that in communicating his story, our community, especially our men, may push aside fear or the stigma of a colonoscopy and get tested. That test can make all the difference.
Leon is facing more critical treatments, so that he has time to get his personal affairs in order and take care of his loved ones. Even as he faces this devastating diagnosis, he has prioritized the needs of others before his own. Leon does not want his family to be financially devastated by the debt from these intensive but life-extending cancer treatments.
I want my best friend to see the seasons change one more time.
Leon’s time may be short; however, the medical expenses are mounting. With all he is going through I feel I need to try to remove financial worries and help him realize a few of his bucket-list items in the little time he has left. He's lived a life of caring and has earned some moments of happiness.
As I stated earlier, sharing this information was not easy for Leon, however, if it sheds light on this insidious disease and helps his family, it was worth it.
Please join me in sharing this post with others and supporting Leon.
There is nothing more powerful than love, family and community. Community, Leon needs you.
In his own words:
I am a 60 year old, previously fit man.
About a year ago I consumed some bad seafood; and suffered a food poisoning event . I later experienced some symptoms that we assumed to be simple Gastro Intestinal issues.
I planned to seek medical attention just as the pandemic, shelter in place, and hospital elective surgeries were shut down in the Virginia Maryland area (on or about Feb 2020).
We waited until pain was associated with the other symptoms to go to the emergency room (ER).... that was approximately 60 days ago (on July 1st 2020). Within 3 hours the ER physician advised me that I did not have appendicitis; but, rather Colorectal Cancer. Further, the physician advised that the cancer had already metastasized to my liver; was inoperable, and that I had a few months at most to live.
The Oncologist's initial prognosis was days, to weeks if I did not begin a treatment program immediately; and a few months if I began a chemotherapy treatment program.
So, I had a few hours to conceptualize the vast disparity between an elective surgery and a terminal disease. Your donation will help with bills and a few bucket-list items. Unused funds, or funds that exceed the Goal will be donated to Cancer research.
Whether you donate funds, or not, please take a Colorectal Cancer screening test. This form of cancer is swift and insidious; one may be asymptomatic or have symptoms that mirror other less serious medical conditions until it is too late.
Thanks in advance for both your time, and your donation.
Organizer
Nora Taylor
Organizer
Fredericksburg, VA